Andrea DeRenzis Strauss, Conductor of Tara Winds has taught elementary, middle, high school, college, and adult-community bands, and has taught at both public and private schools in Georgia. A native of Clarence, New York, Dr. Strauss attained a Ph.D. in Music Education with a minor in conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi where she studied with Dr. Thomas V. Fraschillo. She earned both the Bachelor and Master Degrees in Music Education from the University of South Carolina where she studied conducting with Dr. William J. Moody and clarinet with Mr. Doug Graham. In addition, Dr. Strauss completed the Educational Leadership Certificate Program at Kennesaw State University.

Currently, Dr. Strauss is teaching in the Cobb County School District and serves as adjunct professor at Shorter University. As former Director of Bands and Associate Professor at Shorter University, Dr. Strauss made significant contributions to the development of the instrumental music education degree program and taught conducting, various instrumental music education methods and pedagogy courses, directed the marching band, wind ensemble, and chamber orchestra.

As former Director of Bands at the Georgia Institute of Technology, ensembles under her leadership performed in Australia, Ireland, and China for such events as the Shanghai International Arts Festival. While serving Georgia Tech for sixteen years, the Symphonic Band commissioned numerous works and performed for Southern Division College Band Directors National Association/National Band Association Conferences, and Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conferences. In addition to sustaining a teaching career at Georgia Tech, Dr. Strauss served as the Associate Director of the 1992-1996 Atlanta Olympic Band. Significant performances included the Closing Ceremonies for the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta, GA, the Presidential Inaugural Parade for President Bill Clinton in Washington, D.C., the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, and numerous special events throughout Georgia.

Prior to her appointment as Conductor and Artistic Director of Tara Winds, Dr. Strauss served as principal clarinetist for over 20 years with performances in Italy and 24 convention and conference performances in the United States. For seven years, Dr. Strauss served as Assistant Conductor to Tara Winds and the Cobb Wind Symphony, both of which have performed for the Midwest Clinic.

As a member of the National Band Association's Board of Directors, Dr. Strauss has had articles published in the NBA Journal and has served as music education research committee chair, mentor director, and state chair. Dr. Strauss has also served as national representative for Tau Beta Sigma, state chair for the CBDNA, Board of Directors representative for the Georgia Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, and ninth district officer for GMEA.

Dr. Strauss is an active clinician and adjudicator, and has conducted All-State Bands in California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Dakota, and South Carolina. She has conducted in Italy, adjudicated in Canada, and presented clinics on various aspects of teaching and conducting for the Eastern and Northwestern Division MENC In-Service Conferences, the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention, and numerous GMEA In-Service Conferences and university symposiums. She has received the NBA Citation of Excellence, Women Band Directors' National Association Scroll of Excellence, Tau Beta Sigma's Outstanding Service to Music Award, and the Stanley G. Finck Memorial Award. In addition, Dr. Strauss was selected into Omicron Delta Kappa and has been a recipient of the Georgia Institute of Technology College of Architecture Outstanding Faculty for Education and Practice Award.

John N. Culvahouse is Professor of Instrumental Music Education and full member of the Graduate Faculty at Kennesaw State University. From 1991 until 2007, he served on the faculty at the University of Georgia, where he was a tenured Associate Professor of Music and member of the Graduate Faculty. Prior to his appointment at UGA in 1991, Dr. Culvahouse taught in the public schools in South Carolina and Tennessee for 17 years where he directed high school, middle school, and elementary school bands. He received the Bachelor and Master of Music Education degrees from the University of Tennessee and the Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of South Carolina. Mentors and major professors include Stanley Barnes, WJ Julian, William J. Moody, and James Copenhaver.

Dr. Culvahouse has served as a conductor, adjudicator and clinician in several states, Canada, and Western Europe. Professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association (past Georgia State Chair), Georgia Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Former Epsilon Lambda Chapter Advisor), Phi Beta Mu (Tennessee Chapter Past-President and South Carolina Chapter Past-Vice-President), Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Kappa Psi (Honorary), and the National Band Association where he has served on the Board of Directors on four occasions. As a long time NBA member, he conducted bands at the 1980, 1988, and 1994 conventions, including a 1988 performance by the Sumter, SC High School Symphonic Band. His NBA service began as Tennessee State Chair in the late 1970s, continued as an elected High School Representative, elected Representative At-Large, Southern Division Chair, and he was elected First Vice-President/President Elect for the 2008-2012 Biennia. He assumed the office of President in April 2009.

Dr. Culvahouse was appointed Associate Conductor of Tara Winds Community Band in the Fall of 2011. He serves on the Board of Directors of the John Philip Sousa Foundation. He is a Sudler Flag of Honor and Sudler Trophy Laureate. He was presented the coveted Orpheus Award by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity in 2006 and The National Band Association on six occasions has presented him the Citation of Excellence.